Chrysler Valiant CL Drifter

The model range of the CL was certainly
nowhere near the heady days of the VH series, when
56 different model variants were available.

In fact,
there had been a continued rationalisation of the model
line up, and the CL Series was no exception, that number
dwindling to only seven. Even the brilliant Chargers
had fallen from favour, sales of the powerful steed
once counting for over 50% of Valiant sales, this number
had dwindled to just over 8 %.

The development then
of an entirely new model seemed at odds with the conservative
approach being taken by Chrysler. Nevertheless the
company embarked on a research and development plan
for the production of a panel van.

Indeed panel vans
had become increasing popular throughout the early
1970’s, both for
trade and recreational use. The reasons were many and
varied, lower sales tax applicable on vehicles deemed
to be “commercial”, and when decked out
with mattress in the back few doubted the intentions
of the owners to be “on the job” every
Saturday night.

When the Chrysler Panel Van hit the market,
panel van sales had reached a staggering 18.5% of the
total commercial vehicle market share. Powered by the
4 liter 245 Hemi low compression engine mated to a
three-speed column shift manual transmission, it was
possible to option it up to suit your needs.

Rear
entry and egress was made via a two piece tailgate, the
upper gate being supported by gas filled struts. For
the youth market, Chrysler released the “Sports
Pack” and “Drifter Pack”, both designed
to take on the likes of the Holden Sandman and Ford
Surferoo.

The sports pack came fitted with the Charger
grille, quartz halogen high beam headlights and a three-spoke
sports steering wheel. The Drifter was released a few
weeks after the sports pack, and became an overnight
cult classic.

The Drifters bold exterior paint and decal
treatment was in tune with the fashion of the day,
the color combinations consisting of Impact Orange,
Alpine White and Lemon Twist. It naturally featured
all the trimmings of the Sports Pack, but came standard
with the 4.3 liter Hemi 265 engine mated to a four
speed floor mounted manual transmission, along with
radial ply tires, styled wheels and color-coded bumpers.

The Drifter Utility

Chrysler were quick to also offer the Drifter Pack
in utility form, such as Holden were offering with
their Sandman. The base Valiant panel van was priced
from $5308, the Sports Pack from $5663 while the Drifter
cost $6307. Despite a concerted marketing campaign designed
to make the Drifter look the coolest of the Panel Vans
around, it remained a sales disappointment for Chrysler.

In 1977 Chrysler Australia were to announce a staggering
$28 million loss; it seemed hard times had also hit
the mightiest of the Big Three, with Holden also posting
a loss for the first time since the introduction of
the 48/215, however their loss was contained to a more
manageable $8.4 million.

But Chrysler were far from ready
to throw in the towel, and continued their push to
improve all elements of the CL so that it could keep
pace with Holden and Ford. The biggest improvement
of that time had come from the General, with their
Radial Tuned Suspension. Claimed to be vastly superior
to the competition (and it was), Chrysler set about
a full reworking of the Valiant’s
suspension.

The Chrysler Handling Package

The Chrysler “Handling Package” would
beat Ford to market by a couple of weeks, and while
arguably not quite the match of RTS is came mighty
close. Engineers managed to give the car a firmer, flatter
ride while improving high speed cornering, directional
stability and steering precision.

Other minor improvements
included lowering the steering wheel position. The
geometry of the rear suspension was completely redesigned,
the addition of positive castor and negative camber
to the front wheels also helping improve the overall
handling qualities. The anti-roll bar diameter was
increased, larger diameter rear springs fitted, low-friction
interleaf liners along with isolating clamps and deeper,
softer rear bump rubbers.

The revised suspension layout
received critical acclaim from motoring journalists
of the day; while obviously a catch up attempt to counter
RTS, it could stand alone on its own merits as providing
the Valiant vastly improved roadholding – and
nobody argued.

Electronic Lean Burn System

Also announced with the later CL models
rolling off the production line was the introduction
of “ELB”,
Chryslers new Electronic Lean Burn system. At first
available on the 5.2 liter 318 V8, the computer controlled
engine management system afforded the big V8 fuel savings
in the magnitude of 15%.

This system comprised an analog
spark control computer located in the engine compartment
and a new, more efficient carburetor. Devised by Chrysler
Corporation in the US (the system having been fitted
to US Chryslers for about a year), ELB was claimed
to incorporate technology developed during the Corporations
participation in the US space program.

The ELB system
was modified to suit Australian conditions, including
adoption for use on the Hemi engines. In April 1978
Chrysler announced both the suspension modifications
and engine management system changes were to be fitted
to their new Chrysler Le Baron luxury model. This new
derivative had even more standard equipment than the
Regal, and came at a $619 saving! The Le Baron was
finished in lovely silver duco with matching silver
vinyl roof.

Fitted as standard with the 4.3 liter 265
Hemi engine featuring ELB, among the other standard
fare fitted to the Le Baron included improved power
steering, cast-alloy wheels, steel belted radials,
a tinted laminated windscreen, tinted side and rear
glass, a console shift automatic transmission and bumper
overriders front and rear.

Le Baron, A Sell Out

A limited production run of
400 Le Barons was announced at a price of $8998, and
all sold extremely quickly. Bouyed by the success of
the Le Baron, Chrysler again turned their attention
to the flagging Charger, deciding to give the car a “Drifter” style
makeover. Only 75 of these now highly collectable Chargers
were made; the color choice was restricted to three,
white, orange and yellow. Fitted with the 5.2 liter
ELB V8, you also got as standard equipment a push-button
radio, bumper overriders and “Boca Raron” cloth
upholstery.

The price was an extremely modest $7764.
This last run of Charger Drifters exhausted the stocks
of Charger panels, and the model discontinued shortly
after. The Charger had enjoyed a production run of
just on 7 years, and was undeniably a great success
story of the Australian motoring industry in the 1970’s.